5-month-old baby games: fourth week

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Two fun games to play with your baby this week.

Riding lessons

As your baby starts to learn more about the world, he'll love to discover that he can still be surprised. Unexpected experiences will help him to learn even more, too! This simple singing game is great for teaching him about cause and effect, as he starts to realise what's going to happen next.

Sit on a chair or sofa with your knees together. Put your baby on your knees, facing you with his legs to either side. Place your hands on your baby's waist to steady him and bounce him gently on your knees. As you do so, sing to him in the tune of Round the Mulberry Bush: "This is the way the lady rides, tri-tree-tree-tree, tri-tree-tree-tree, this is the way the lady rides, tri-tree tri-tree tri-TREE." On the final "tree", part your legs so your baby dips down between them, taking care, of course, that he doesn't fall all the way to the floor.

As your baby gets older, the second and third verses can have increasingly dramatic bouncing rhythms. At this stage though, just stick to a more gentle pace as you say: "This is the way the gentleman rides, gallop-a-trot, gallop-a-trot, this is the way the gentleman rides, gallop-a-gallop-a-TROT".

The final verse goes: "This is the way the farmer rides, hobbledy-hoy, hobbledy-hoy, this is the way the farmer rides, hobbledy-hobbledy-HOY." For this verse, sway your knees from side to side, rocking your baby as if he were a farmer being carried on a donkey. On the final "HOY", swoop him sideways off your knees and into your arms for a big cuddle.

Tickle a funny bone

This is an exciting time for your baby, as she's learning to move her arms and legs all by herself. Now that she has a bit more control over her body, she'll probably love finding out even more about it. This lively bathtime game is a great way to teach her about different parts of the body.

Get your baby comfy in her bath seat, or in the bath itself with you supporting her. Get the sponge nice and wet, then approach your baby with it under the water. Say, "I'm going to tickle your toes," and tickle them lightly with the sponge, pulling it out of reach if she makes a grab for it. Approach from different directions, saying, "I'm going to tickle your knees, I'm going to tickle your back, I'm going to tickle your bottom," each time pulling the puff away through the water if she tries to grab it.

To finish the game, let her hold the sponge and show her how to tickle herself with it. Don't let her chew on it though, as bathwater's not always safe to drink. You can also put your hand down into the water and let her have a go at tickling your fingers.

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